File photo (Picture credit: AP)
Six major powers, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan, said on Thursday they are ready to support efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the conflict in the Gulf continues to disrupt one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.In a joint statement, the countries condemned what they described as recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and civilian energy infrastructure, and signalled willingness to join future maritime security efforts if conditions allow.
As per new sagency AFP, the six nations said they were ready “to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Joint statement condemns attacks on ships and energy sites
The group sharply criticised Iran over attacks in the Gulf and the effective disruption of shipping through the strait.The countries condemned “in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.”The statement added, “We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping.”The countries urged Tehran to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, and called for an immediate moratorium on attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, especially oil and gas installations.“Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the statement said.
Hormuz blockade raises global energy fears
The statement comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively paralysed, raising alarm across global energy and shipping markets.In peacetime, roughly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the strait, making it one of the most important maritime corridors in the world.The waterway normally handles around 15 million barrels per day of crude oil and 5 million barrels per day of oil products, accounting for roughly 25 per cent of global seaborne oil trade.Reuters said the six powers warned that interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains “constitute a threat to international peace and security.”“The effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable,” the joint statement said, according to Reuters.
Seafarers stranded, commercial shipping hit hard
The conflict has already had a severe impact on commercial shipping in and around the strait.Since the war erupted on February 28, when the US and Israel began bombing Iran, Tehran has retaliated with strikes across the Gulf region.23 commercial vessels, including 10 tankers, have reported being attacked or involved in incidents.The situation has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the strait, as per the International Maritime Organization.
Countries stop short of immediate naval deployment
While the six powers expressed readiness to help secure the strait, there was no commitment to an immediate military deployment.US President Donald Trump has been urging allies and NATO to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, but partners have so far resisted joining in the short term, even as they remain open to planning and coordination.“We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the six-country statement said.A UK defence official told reporters on Wednesday that the current threat level was too high for many countries to send warships into the area immediately.“The level of threat is such that I don’t see many nations being willing to put warships into the middle of that threat right now,” the official said, as quoted by AFP.He added, “We’re working closely with allies and partners in terms of what we might be able to do and what we can offer, as and when the situation allows.”Britain has sent a “small number” of additional military “planners” to US Central Command (CENTCOM) to help develop options for what could come next in the Strait of Hormuz.
Support for emergency oil release and market stabilisation
Beyond maritime security, the six nations also backed emergency steps to calm global energy markets.The countries welcomed the International Energy Agency’s coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves and said they would take “other steps to stabilise energy markets,” including working with some producing nations to raise output.The IEA last week announced a 400 million barrel emergency release, describing it as the largest in its history.The six countries pledged to support the most affected nations through the United Nations and international financial institutions.
